Chevy Bolt Battery Health After 1 Year After 2 Years After 5 Years

A Chevy Bolt battery should last the life of the car with less than 20% capacity loss. It’s also worth noting that the battery comes with a mandatory 8-year/80,000-mile warranty as emissions equipment. Since you mentioned Fiat, you are in one of the CARB states. Your warranty increases to 10 years/150,000 miles. What will be the Chevy Bolt Battery Health After 1 Year After 2 Years After 5 Years?

Chevy Bolt batteries deteriorate 1-2% over 1 year, 3-5% over 2 years and 15-20% over 5 years. It also depends on where you drive the car. Battery capacity at 105,000 miles was nearly 55 kWh, meaning the Chevy Bolt’s battery degraded 8.3% over that mileage. 

Had the battery continued to lose capacity at this rate, this particular Bolt would have traveled nearly 500,000 miles before needing battery replacement.

Several cars (mostly Tesla, but at least one Chevy Volt)  are approaching or have just covered half a  million miles on battery. The losses range from 1 to 2% in 1 year and then remain constant over several years. 

It should not go below 80° for 300,000 miles. (Probably faster for 30kWh batteries and below as they have become accustomed to the higher capacity.) 

When the battery health falls below 80%  it can be rebuilt using old cells to make them lighter and to make it less bulky. (Assume a 100MWh energy storage facility was recently installed in South Australia. 

The need for more cells is offset by the low prices of remanufactured cells.) The cells used for the conversion will be quite cheap compared to the initial cost of a new Battery prices are steadily falling and becoming even cheaper as volume increases. 

When we bought our electric car 4 years ago, batteries cost $375 per kWh. You bought a 25kWh battery for $35,000 and the automaker lost money on the sale. Today (2019) batteries cost $100/kWh, $35,000 equals 60 kWh, and Tesla still has a good sales margin. 

In 5 years, forecasts predict less than 50 USD/kWh. That means one of the budget small cars (Sentra, Yaris, Fit) with 250-mile batteries could be bought for 20% less than a gas-powered model, and the automaker could do more on an electric vehicle than on an ICE expansion.

Chevy Bolt Battery Degradation Chart 

As one of the first electric cars on American roads, the Chevy Bolt has gained a large following among environmentally conscious drivers. 

However, as is often the case with early adopters, LG Chem-derived GM batteries have occasionally caused problems, resulting in vehicles requiring software upgrades or even entire package replacements under warranty. 

With over 100,000 Bolts on US roads, it’s no surprise that owners have questions about battery life and specifically how the Bolt’s battery wears down over time. For most owners, this degradation is perceived as a reduction in range as the battery ages.

The Degradation in 10000 miles increments

MileskWh 
0-1000060 kWh
10000-2000058 kWh
40000-5000055 kWh
80000-9000055 kWh
90000- 10000055 kwh

Bolt debuted with a  range of 239 miles for the LT and Premier versions. Starting the 2021 model year GM increased the range of the Bolt to 259 miles per charge for both models. 

Unlike electric cars like the Tesla where the range differs in the powertrain, the main difference between the Premiere Bolts lies in the infotainment and safety packages. 

So when the battery dies and range decreases, many Bolt riders don’t know what the normal rate of aging should be and when the battery should be replaced. 

How Bad Should a Chevy Bolt Battery Health Fail Over Time?

Normal battery degradation depends on two factors: battery age, also known as “timing”; Aging – and how the battery is used and charged. 

Based on data compiled by Recurrent, a Seattle-based startup that produces independent reports on electric vehicle battery health, it appears that although the battery is liquid-cooled, the Bolt will perform well in ambient temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit. 

At a daytime temperature of around 30 degrees, the range drops by 60%. 

While low ambient temperatures during everyday use have a significant impact on battery life, brief periods of use in cold climates should not play a significant role in the battery aging rate. 

However, sustained high temperatures combined with rapid charging from a very low SoC (state of charge) can significantly accelerate the rate of degradation and shorten battery life.

Under GM’s electric vehicle warranty, the Bolt’s battery will be replaced if its capacity falls below 60% of the capacity of the new 60kWh battery. That means  GM will cover the cost of replacing batteries if capacity falls below 36kWh. Of course, this will translate into a similar reduction in range. 

A fully charged Bolt designed to drive 238 miles on a charged battery only drives 143 miles GM will consider that a valid warranty claim Of course this only applies to electric cars within the warranty period.

According to information Chevrolet Communications’ Fred Ligouri sent to Green Car Reports, an out-of-warranty battery replacement would cost approximately $16,000, so it’s important to read the terms of your electric car’s battery warranty.

Chevy Bolt Battery Replacement Cost 

According to Recurrent Auto, replacing a Chevy Bolt battery can cost anywhere from $16,000 to $16,500 for a 65kWh battery — a shock to the wallet. This equates to 250$-271$ per kWh. 

So you’re essentially paying more than half the price of a brand-new Chevy Bolt electric car. Chevy split the Bolt’s battery into 10 separate batteries. 

This means drivers can replace damaged batteries for less. However, it’s not the best solution as others aren’t far behind if a pack or 2 breaks. 

 We saw increased no. Of recall battery replacement in:

YearModelIncreased Battery %
2013Tesla model s 8.5%
2014Tesla model s 7.3%
2015Tesla model s 3.5%
2011Chevy bolt 8.3%
2012Chevy bolt 3.5%

No wonder, since the high cost of replacing a battery in an electric vehicle has caused a lot of controversy in recent months. These exorbitant prices are due to several factors, including a supply chain issue that many automakers still face. 

On the other hand, industry experts predict that electric vehicle batteries will become cheaper. According to Bloomberg New Energy Finance or BNEF, the average price of battery electric vehicles (BEVs) will fall to $100/kWh by 2023. 

The publication also adds that replacing EV batteries will cost at least $6,200 by 2030. 

Chevy Screw Battery Replacement: What to Expect?

Replacing the battery of your Bolt EV can be a straightforward process, but don’t expect that it’s as simple as removing the battery and replacing it with a smartphone or smoke alarm. 

Instead, the process is in the same vein as a car engine replacement. EV batteries have quite some weight and hold a lot of electrical power. 

Therefore, proper handling and installation are a must, so battery replacement is a job that’s best left to the pros. 

Once you have scheduled an appointment with your local dealership or mechanic, you can bring in your Bolt EV for the battery replacement.

The replacement process should be relatively easy for technicians. You will likely need to perform a software update to ensure the computer recognizes the new battery. 

Changing your Bolt’s battery should take a day or less. However, experience may vary depending on many factors including mechanics and parts availability. 

Sometimes parts need to be ordered and with constant disruptions in the supply chain, replacements can take longer than expected.

It should also be noted that not all replacements require the entire unit to be replaced at one time. Sometimes technicians simply need to identify and replace failed modules or worn individual battery cells.

Rising Gasoline Prices Thinking of switching to an electric car like many Puyallup drivers have done? Then you might be wondering what the average lifespan of an electric car battery is. 

How long do electric car batteries last? The  Chevy Bolt EV or Bolt EUV battery is guaranteed to last at least 8 years or 100,000 miles from a new battery. Read on to learn more about  Sunset Chevrolet’s electric vehicle battery life. 

So when you’re ready to trade in an electric Chevrolet, you can contact our dealership for help securing your keys. We offer superior customer service and unique benefits like lifetime warranty coverage and lifetime oil changes. 

BATTERY SYSTEM

TypeRechargeable energy storage system comprising multiple linked modules 
Mass (lb. / kg)947 / 430
Battery chemistryLithium-ion
Cells288
Energy65 kWh
Warranty18 years / 100,000 miles of battery and electric components coverage

Typical Battery Life of An Electric Car

Electric car batteries are designed to last for years on our Tacoma streets. If you buy a new car, you will probably replace it before the battery needs replacing. 

Manufacturers in the United States are required to guarantee the electric battery for 8 years or up to 100,000 miles. 

However, some experts say these batteries often last 10 to 20 years or about 120,000 to 150,000 miles. Some riders have reported getting over 200,000 miles on a single battery, but that’s the exception. 

Factors That Can Reduce The Battery Life of An Electric Car 

Certain factors can affect an electric car’s battery life, making it shorter than the expected average. Fortunately, many of these factors are covered by Chevy’s generous warranty. 

If you notice anything unusual, such as B. a warning light on your dashboard, make an appointment for the service immediately. 

Things That Can Reduce The Battery Life of An Electric Car 

  • Poor electrical connections between battery cells or  modules 
  • Manufacturing defects in battery cells 
  • Extremely high or low battery temperatures 
  • Manufacturing variances between cells 
  • Mechanical damage to the battery during charge retention or routine maintenance  
  • Improper handling procedures 
  • The imbalance between battery cells or battery modules 
  • Charge rates too high or too low

Chevy Bolt Battery Degradation Reddit

You can expect an average deterioration of 5% over 100,000 miles. If the goal is to only charge 80%, this is not necessary. 

A range of 100 km in a car does NOT correspond to a 100% battery charge. They designed it with a buffer (similar to a volt) and stuck to 80/20 (or some ratio for that) to maximize battery life.

There’s nothing wrong with wanting to artificially limit their coverage to just 80% if it works for them. 

However, they essentially give themselves the range you would normally have after the car has driven around 300-400,000 miles (based on average usage). 

The best way to slow degradation is to do timed starts, which reduce the constant charging and discharging of the battery. (Charging Cycles) Version TLDR. It’s okay anyway. There are no wrong answers as long as you have enough to go where you want and back. 

My Experiences With Battery Degradation 

I just wanted to share my previous experience with the original battery and the degradation experienced so far. 

I’ve had the propeller for about 1 year and 5 months and have clocked 37,000 miles on the original battery. I mostly charge on level 1 at home and some on level 2 and charge a lot with DCFC at both  Electrify America and the local 50kW station.

From the attached Torque Pro screenshots I’m showing the current capacity of 56.9kWh versus the original 64 with 1713 loads which I think is a lot and doesn’t make much sense to me. 

That’s about 11.1 degrees out of the box. It seems a bit high from what I’ve seen here, but that’s not uncommon, especially given my driving habits.

I usually charge 75-86% most nights or  45-85% at  DCFC about twice a week in the summer. 

At work, I  park outside and have no way of connecting. Over the summer I noticed that if I was out all day the battery could go up to 95F, but it had cooled down to 90F by the time I got home so I manually adjusted the charge level and lowered the battery to 85 F.

During the winter I regularly saw the battery drop below 32F when unplugged and the battery warmed up when I got home but shut off to warm up when the minimum temp was above 32F. 

When I plugged it in at home and tried the same thing, if you plug it in when fully charged it only keeps the battery above 32f. I never got “reduced engine power”; News.

I know that the extreme temperatures and fast charging in EA multiple times in a day while the battery was already at 95°F while driving probably also contributed to another couple of percent degradation. 

What everyone thinks and we encourage you to share your experiences.

Chevy Bolt Battery Warranty

With any battery-powered electric vehicle, a decrease in battery capacity is to be expected. The questions relate to the degree of dismantling, the speed, and the scope of the guarantee. 

GM released a Chevy Bolt EV handbook this week in which the manufacturer warns of potential battery degradation of up to 40 percent during the 8-year or 100,000-mile warranty period. 

As with all batteries, the amount of energy that a high-voltage battery can store decreases with time and kilometers traveled.

Depending on usage, the battery may lose 10% to 40% of its capacity during the warranty period. If you have questions about battery capacity, your dealership technician can determine if your vehicle meets specifications. 

10-20% is expected in 8 years or 100,000 miles, but 20-40% can be problematic. We’re talking about losing up to 95 miles of range beyond the Chevy Bolt EV’s 238-mile range. But that’s not what GM says you should expect. This is covered by the warranty. 

In comparison, Tesla warns that the warranty does not cover battery degradation caused by “battery usage”:

The Battery, like all lithium-ion batteries, will experience a gradual loss of energy or performance over time and over time. Loss of battery charge or performance over time or caused by or resulting from the use of the battery is NOT covered by this Limited Battery Warranty. 

Consult your owner’s documentation for important information on optimizing battery life and capacity.” 

Of course, this covers any battery failure, including cases where a failure causes an abnormal loss of capacity, but that doesn’t define that normal loss of capacity.

Early data shows a trend of  150,000 miles before approaching a 10 percent ride height loss, which is GM’s minimum warranty void. The Tesla battery and powertrain warranty includes 8 years and unlimited mileage.

How Long Does a Chevy Bolt Take to Charge 

If you’re thinking about buying an electric vehicle or EV near Lexington, chances are you’ve already thought of the new Chevy Bolt. The Bolt EV is a fantastic choice for Richmond drivers, but how long does it take to charge a Chevy Bolt?

Luckily, you have multiple charging options, allowing you to fully charge the Bolt in around 9.5 hours. You can even reach up to 90 miles of range in just 30 minutes. 

 CHARGING TIMES

120 V
4 miles / Approx. 6 km of range per hour
240 V39 miles per hour of charge – Full charge in approx. 7 hours
DC Fast ChargeUp to 100 miles in 30 minutes

Do You Charge Your Chevy Bolt With an Electric Car Charger?

The EPA estimates the Chevy Bolt’s range at an impressive 238 miles. That’s a lot more than the 151 miles you’ll cover in the Nissan LEAF, but at some point, you’ll need to charge the battery, and once you’ve done that you have options. 

This is how long it takes to charge a Chevy Bolt depending on the type of electric car charger: 

  1. Basic Stage 1 Charging: Charge your Chevy Bolt with this type of standard charger (120V available from a standard grounded household outlet) and it will give you a 4 mph charge. 

This option will give you about 48 miles of range on a 12-hour charge, so it’s best to use this method as an overnight option. 

We also recommend that you charge your vehicle daily with this option so you never run out of battery power while driving in Winchester or London. 

  1. Stage 2 Fast Charge: Stage 2 or Fast Charge uses a 240-volt charger and allows for a charge time of approximately 40 km/h.With a Tier 2 charging system, for a residential installation, the outlet must be properly installed by an electrician. 

However, the extra upfront cost is well worth it for many Irvine EV drivers because, as they say, “time is money.” Do you drive 40-50 km daily? If this is the case, you can fully charge your Chevy Bolt in about 2 hours with a level 2 charge. 

Using this method, a full charge should take 9.5 hours. Most public charging stations are fast charging stations. 

  1. Ultra-fast charging: Some public terminals offer ultra-fast charging for electric vehicles. This option offers a range of 90 miles with a charge time of around 30 minutes. 

To use this method, your Chevy Bolt must have an available DC fast charge port.DC fast chargers are available at extra cost for Bolt owners and come in handy when you’re away from home and want to fully charge the battery. 

This electric car charger provides a range of up to 260 miles in just one hour.

Chevy Bolt EV Internal Battery Temperature

In addition to checking the battery capacity of my Bolt EV at launch, I also checked the battery’s internal temperature. With the Bolt EV unplugged overnight, the Torque Pro showed that the internal temperature of the batter had dropped to 35.6 degrees Fahrenheit. 

This is not unusual as I have seen similar internal battery temperatures when the car was unplugged. Conversely, with similar nighttime temperatures but with the Bolt EV plugged in, it kept the internal battery temperature at 59 F. 

This time, however, I noticed something odd when I  left the Bolt EV unplugged,  and everything with the battery seemed fine at 35.6 Q. 

RPM0
Speed0.0 mph
2.3 kW2.3 kw
Battery Temperature 35.6 °F
Brake TQ800 N-M
Battery % DIC87.8 %

Previously, if I  left the Bolt EV unplugged (and allowed the battery temp to cool to 30 seconds), the Bolt EV activated the battery heater when it was on. 

The only difference I can tell is that in the previous case,e the ca still register an outside temperature of around 30 degrees.

This time, however, the outside air temperature sensor was exposed to direct sunlight and recorded an ambient air temperature of 76.1 F.

I suspect that something in the Bolt EV’s programming tells it not to worry about battery heating if the outside temperature is so high that it will eventually heat up on its own.

Chevy Bolt EV Battery Health After 100,000 Miles

I recently drove 100,000 miles on my 2017 Chevy Bolt EV and did a quick update on my YouTube channel where I covered many topics related to the handling of my Bolt EV. 

One of the topics I brought up was battery degradation, but I only brought that up because I don’t think video is the best way to convey this type of information. 

I first posted a 70,000-mile battery update video that set the stage for my 100,000-mile update, but many background details are better covered in a written article. 

At 70,000 miles I estimated my Bolt EV had lost about 8% of its original capacity; However, this came with a caveat: I noticed a discrepancy in my data that occurred around the same time I brought my Bolt EV to the “BMS” battery management system; To update.

After 100,000 miles, the data seemed to confirm that the Eight’s deterioration I had measured at 70,000 miles was indeed an inflated number.

Methodology

My method of testing battery degradation is simple but seems to be the most effective. I’ve tried using apps like Torque Pro but the results seem very inaccurate and inconsistent.

Eventually, I found that the only way to accurately and effectively monitor battery degradation was to drive the car and luckily for me, that’s not an issue. 

I’ve found that the best way to accurately calculate capacity is to actually draw as much current as possible and then compare the current drawn to the displayed battery level. For example: 

  • Start your ride with a fully charged battery and zero-loading screen. 
  • Drive at least 150-200 miles before stopping for the first charge. 
  • Records energy consumption and displayed battery percentage. 
  • Calculate the estimated capacity by dividing the kWh used by the percentage of energy used and multiplying by 100. 

This method gives a very robust estimate of the energy available in the battery in kWh, although it always causes fluctuations. The closer the battery gets to being fully discharged, the more accurate the results appear. 

However, the uncertainty of any estimate of energy use appears to be +/- 1kWh. Despite this discrepancy, however, it has been possible to construct a consistent and accurate model of available energy over time. 

The final step is to calculate battery degradation by comparing the available energy to the declared capacity (for Bolt EV 60kWh) and any previously calculated and recorded capacity. 

Having taken so many long trips in my Bolt EV over the past few years, I have tracked my available energy over time using data and mileage.

Linear drop in available energy 

Barring an anomaly during the BMS software update, battery degradation in my Bolt EV was very slow, and linear. Here is a historical overview of the deterioration in 10,000-mile increments. 

Note Fallback Mode

My Chevy Bolt EV has a feature called Hilltop Reserve; This will prevent the battery from being fully charged (the car will stop charging when the battery reaches 88%). 

The new Bolt EVs have a target state of charge feature that allows owners to limit the state of charge of the Bolt EV  in 5% increments.

This feature was originally intended for people who live at higher elevations and want full access to the Bolt EV’s regenerative braking (it is limited when the battery is above about 95% charge). 

Another reason you shouldn’t fully charge an EV battery is that most battery degradation occurs when the battery is either 100% charged or 0% discharged, and after my 70,000-mile update, I started  Hilltop Reserve to use much more often. 

Unfortunately,  Hilltop Reserve mode seems to affect the accuracy of my available energy calculations, even when trying to offset the 12° reserve that was being held in reserve. 

I’m sure I could find a formula to compensate for this, but even without it I still have a few data points per 10,000 miles. 

Real Deterioration

So what is my actual deterioration at this point? Right now, at 105,000 miles, I just recorded another reading on my Bolt EV which showed a measured capacity of ~56.9kWh, but the average reading over the last 5000 miles is about 55kWh of available power. 

Based on my initial available energy of 60kWh and ending with my current available energy of 55kWh, my Bolt EV only has 91.7% of its original capacity, i.e. 8.3 battery degradation. 

However, if GM actually stored 2kWh of energy (or simply reprogrammed the way BMS Bolt EV calculates the available energy), the figure needs to be recalculated. 

Instead of starting with 60 kWh of available energy, I should start with 58 kWh. Of my current 55kWh of available energy, my Bolt EV is at 94.8% of its original capacity, or 5.2. Battery degradation.

Conclusion 

But even if they were, consider what that deterioration means. After driving 100,000 miles I lost up to 5% of battery life. When I first bought the Bolt EV, I  regularly saw over 250-260 miles of battery charge when driving in transit and 210-220 miles of battery charge when driving at 70-75 mph on the freeway. 

This downgrade means I now have 240-250 miles of local range and 200-210 miles of range when cruising on the freeway. The former has never been an issue, and as public charging infrastructure keeps improving, the latter isn’t the case either.

Honestly, I doubt most Bolt EV owners will ever realize the impact battery degradation is having on their car’s lifespan. Next time I’ll talk about how I plan my regular 1,000-mile rides in my Chevy Bolt EV.

FAQs

How Many Years Will the Chevy Bolt Battery Last?

The Chevy Bolt is estimated to last between 300,000 and 400,000 miles before severe battery degradation affects range and performance. Based on  15,000 miles per year which equates to 20-26 years of service with proper maintenance, charging, and fuel-efficient driving. 

How Long Does a Chevy Bolt 2023 Battery Last?

Your 2023 Chevy Bolt EV battery will typically last 3-5 years, but this can vary significantly depending on battery size, battery type, and driving habits.

Do Electric Car Batteries Get Worse Over Time?

EV batteries generally degrade due to temperature, cycling, and time. Storage and operating temperatures have a major impact on EV battery life. In general, a warmer climate hurts EV battery life. 

How Much Battery Degradation Is Normal?

If your car has  5% to 10 dimmers, a higher figure on older cars, this is perfectly normal.

Post-Related Electric Cars and Batteries

About Author

Bharat Suthar

I am principal creator of electriccarexperience.com. I like riding Electric Car, UTV in mountains and Terrain, Also I try to share all the real life experience here in the site.I am really dedicated to write about my experience. I love doing all the outdoor activity including riding electric car, dirt biking and hiking.

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